Would You Start If You Knew Where You'd End Up?

The Power of Persistence: Why You Should Never Give Up on Your Business Dreams

Business ownership is a rollercoaster of emotions. One moment you're riding high on success, and the next, you're questioning why you started in the first place. This emotional turmoil is especially true for seasonal businesses that experience extreme fluctuations throughout the year. As a small business owner in New England dependent on face-to-face retail sales, I've experienced this firsthand, particularly during those long winter months when business slows to a crawl.

Recently, I hit a significant milestone: nearly five years of continuous business operation and podcast production without missing a single week. While reflecting on this journey, I had a profound realization. If I could have seen where I'd be after five years of hard work—if I had known the sales figures, the podcast listener numbers, the financial realities—I likely wouldn't have started. The anticipated growth and success I'd dreamed of hasn't materialized exactly as planned. By pure numerical measurement, I might consider myself behind where I thought I'd be.

But here's the fascinating paradox: despite not hitting those numerical targets, I wouldn't trade this journey for anything. The relationships built, the personal growth experienced, the places visited, and the impact made on others' lives have been immeasurable in ways that can't be quantified on a balance sheet. This realization led me to explore what keeps entrepreneurs going when giving up seems like the logical choice.

Through research and personal experience, I've identified five critical strategies that can help any business owner push through when they feel like throwing in the towel. First, expect to struggle with challenges. A wise person once said, "a person's reaction is based on their expectation." When we anticipate challenges as an inevitable part of the entrepreneurial journey, we're less likely to be devastated when they appear. Setting realistic expectations prevents overreactions that can lead to premature surrender.

Second, connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. The isolation of running your own business can be overwhelming, especially during difficult times. Being surrounded by others who understand your struggles and can offer perspective is invaluable. This past weekend at events, reconnecting with fellow business owners who were fighting similar battles revitalized my energy and outlook. These conversations provided both emotional support and practical insights that I couldn't have gained alone.

Third, reconnect with your why. When finances are tight, it's easy to focus solely on money. However, sustainable businesses are built on deeper foundations. For me, remembering my commitment to American manufacturing and creating a legacy for my daughter provides motivation beyond profit margins. Your purpose acts as an anchor during turbulent times and reminds you why the struggle matters.

Fourth, seek guidance from experienced mentors. Having someone who's navigated similar challenges can provide invaluable perspective and practical solutions. Whether through formal mentorship or casual conversations with more experienced entrepreneurs, this guidance can illuminate paths forward that you might not see on your own.

Finally, evaluate your resources and shift your perspective from seeing problems to seeing opportunities. Often, the very challenges we face can open doors to innovation if we're willing to look at them differently. What initially appears as an obstacle might actually be redirecting you toward a more profitable or fulfilling direction.

The entrepreneurial journey isn't just about reaching a destination—it's about who you become along the way. Five years in, I realize now that success isn't measured solely in dollars or followers, but in resilience built, lives touched, and personal growth achieved. The most important metric might be your ability to keep moving forward, even when the path isn't what you expected.

So if you're in that dark place of questioning whether to continue, remember this: small victories matter. Sustained effort over time leads to success that often looks different—and sometimes better—than what we initially envisioned. The true measure of entrepreneurial success might not be how closely you hit your target, but how many times you got back up when life knocked you down.